As I began to read widely from variety of sources, it became increasingly clear to me of the biased nature of Western media with respect to China. Then one day I could take it anymore, and have revolted against Western press. Thus I became increasingly attracted the China Daily, China Radio International and Malaysia’s Star.

The chairman said the Dalai clique’s version on describing the violence and echoing tilted news coverage of some Western media are "ridiculous." They are confusing right and wrong while labeling the riot as "peaceful demonstration", and slandering efforts of local law enforcement to keeping order as "crackdown on the peaceful demonstration."

I absolutely agree with above remark.

(Xinhua)Updated: 2008-03-17 12:33

Qiangba Puncog, Tibet Autonomous Regional Government chairman decried rioters and the Dalai Lama clique for conspiring the latest riot in Lhasa, and underlined the government’s determination to safeguard Tibet, during a news briefing in Beijing on Monday. Thirteen innocent civilians were burned or stabbed to death in last Friday’s riot in Lhasa, and sixty-one police were injured, six of them seriously wounded, said Qiangba Pungcog.

Rioters set fire at more than 300 locations, including residential houses and 214 shops, and smashed and burned 56 vehicles, causing heavy losses and seriously disturbed social order in the city. The violence was out of conspiracy jointly made by domestic and overseas separatists who are advocating "Tibet independence".

The Dalai clique masterminded, well planned and carefully organized the riot on March 14, Qiangba Puncog said, citing that the rioters’ activities were "crime".

The chairman said the Dalai clique’s version on describing the violence and echoing tilted news coverage of some Western media are "ridiculous." They are confusing right and wrong while labeling the riot as "peaceful demonstration", and slandering efforts of local law enforcement to keeping order as "crackdown on the peaceful demonstration."

The Tibetan government chief expressed confidence in maintaining social stability and order under the leadership of the Chinese Central Government,saying the Tibetans will firmly fight against splitting efforts, and safeguard the unified motherland. Any secessionist attempt to sabotage Tibet’s stability will not gain people’s support and is doomed to fail, he said.

No Use of Lethal Weapons on Rioters

The head of Tibet’s regional government denied that security personnel carried or used lethal weapons in dealing with the violent riots in Lhasa last Friday.

"The security personnel showed restraint in the entire process of handling the incident," said Qiangba Puncog at a news briefing in Beijing on Monday.

"In dealing with the violent riots, the security forces carried out their duties strictly according to law and in a civil manner," said Qiangba Puncog.

He also expressed confidence that social stability and order would be maintained under the leadership of the central government, despite secessionist activities in Lhasa.

Qiangba Puncog said people of all ethnic groups in Tibet were determined to fight secession, safeguard national unity and maintain social stability.

"Any plots to destroy social stability or to mastermind the secession of Tibet are against the will of the people in Tibet and doomed to failure," he said.

At the briefing, Qiangba Pungcog said that sixty-one police were injured in last Friday’s riot in Lhasa, six of them seriously.

Rioters attacked public security personnel in an extremely cruel manner while they were maintaining order and refrained from using weapons, said the chairman. "For instance, the rioters beat a patroling police officer until he got into coma, and rioters cut out a piece of flesh, as big as a fist, from his buttock," he said.

Some rioters stoned patrol officers around 11:00 am on March 14 at the Ramogia Monastery in Lhasa. They then gathered around the Bargor street, chanting "independence" slogans and going on a destruction rampage. The violence accelerated quickly. The mob set fire to shops, vehicles and pedestrians that passed by. Schools, banks, hospitals and communication facilities were also their targets, Qiangba Pungcog said. He stressed that throughout the incident, both public security personnel and armed police exercised restraint, and showed great professional spirit and adherence to law. "They didn’t carry or use any lethal weapons," he added.

Aid Center Offers Help for Riot Victims

The Lhasa aid center has helped 49 business men and women who lost their shops and became homeless during the riot on Friday by providing free meals, train tickets and medical treatment, according to sources with the local Civil Affairs Bureau on Monday.

An official with the bureau said that the victims could get free tickets back home after they obtained written proof from local public security bureau.

For those who want to stay in Lhasa, the center will provide free accommodations, food and clothing, said the official.

No Foreigner Harmed in Riot

No foreigner has been harmed since Friday’s riot in Tibet’s capital Lhasa, said Ju Jianhua, director of the autonomous region’s foreign affairs office.

"The government of Tibet Autonomous Region has attached great importance to the safety of lives and property of foreign experts working in Tibet, foreign students and tourists," said Ju. "Currently, foreigners in Tibet are quite safe. And they have been well protected."

For those foreigners who demand to leave, the office will coordinate civil aviation, railway and highway departments to provide convenience for them, Ju said.

The office will also contact with tourism departments to adjust travel routes and provide services to ensure their safety, the official said.

An outburst of commotion broke the peace of Lhasa on Friday afternoon. Lhasa police rescued more than 580 people, including three Japanese tourists, from the violent array of sabotage. As of Sunday, more than 20 foreign tourists had left Tibet safely with the help of local government.

Wang Gungwu

If you don't have a sense of the past, your future will be diminished. Knowing where you come from, where your roots are, and all those great - and terrible - things that happened in the past, strengthens your identity